Conditions at the frontlines were destructive for soldiers in WW1 discuss

Essay by Annihilation22Junior High, 9th gradeA+, July 2004

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"Conditions at the front lines were destructive for the soldiers in WW1"

Discuss

There is no question that conditions in the front lines in WW1 were destructive for the soldiers. WW1 took the greatest toll on human life of any war until that time.

I believe that the conditions in the front lines were particularly destructive and devastating to the men for many reasons. New techniques used in trench warfare and the relatively new kinds of weaponry being used, such as heavy artillery and poison gas contributed to a much higher death toll with little opportunity to bury the dead. This led to a dangerous lack of sanitisation, and also prevented the normal opportunities of personal hygiene. Shortage of men prevented the frequent replenishment of food and water supplies which also led to sickness and death.

The constant bombardment was the cause that there were so many dead bodies that were unburied; just lying on the ground rotting.

It was almost impossible for soldiers to get any rest or sleep with the constant bombardment of enemy fire. The men were forced to sleep standing up in the trenches so that they wouldn't run the risk of being killed. The heavy artillery were a constant threat as they could be fired over long distances and land in a trench blowing up any soldiers positioned in that part of the trench. Heavy artillery such as tanks and mortars being used usually meant that there would be an attempt to gain more territory in the next few days. (In the battle of the Somme for instance; the Germans realised this and rushed all their men forward so that they would be able to slaughter the English and Australians as they attacked.

Going over the top is when the soldiers had to go over...